4 Thieves Oil

This aromatic blend of spicy essential oils has a myriad of uses to keep the germs safely at bay this winter.

Legend has it that the recipe for this oil originated from 4 thieves who robbed the homes of the dead and dying while the Black Plague ravished Europe.  Despite their close contact with plague victims, the thieves seemed invulnerable to the deadly disease.  When apprehended, the thieves allegedly struck a bargain with authorities to reveal their secret to avoiding the plague in return for being set free.  They claimed to rub themselves with a special herbal oil concoction before entering the home of a plague victim.  Whether or not the story is true, the essential oils used in the 4 Thieves oil blend have all demonstrated anti septic, anti bacterial, anti fungal and anti viral effects.

You can buy commercial preparations of 4 Thieves Oil, however it’s simple and inexpensive to make your own at home.  Until the internet provides us with the technology to use “scratch ‘n’ sniff” you’ll just have to take my word that it smells fantastic.  I add a few drops to all my cleaning products, the filter in my vacuum cleaner and sprinkle it liberally on carpets and in water used to mop the floors as we allow our dogs and cat inside.  I also add it to the washing machine rinse cycle when washing towels, sheets and .

Other uses for 4 Thieves oil include:

• A few drops in a bowl of steaming hot water or vapouriser and inhale for lung and sinus congestion.
• Sprinkle a few drops on a tissue or hanky and pin to the outside of your child’s pyjama’s to help reduce congestion while they’re sick or prevent infection when well.
• Sprinkle inside gym and running shoes.
• Add to hot water along with some dishwashing liquid and soak socks and undies in them overnight before washing if you’re prone to fungal infections to help avoid reinfection.
• Add 25 drops to 50 ml of almond or other vegetable oil and use as a chest rub (apply to back and chest) to ease congestion in adults and children over 18 months.  This blend can also be massaged into sore, aching muscles and joints.
• Use in an oil vapouriser on your desk at work to create a protective, aromatic bubble of oil vapour around your working area.
• Add to your favourite handcream or moisturiser and create your own natural antibacterial hand treatment to help prevent infection (great for anyone who works with children to prevent picking up lurgies from sick kids).
• Sprinkle on a cloth and add to clothes in storage to help deter musty odours and fabric munching moths.

How to make your own 4 Thieves Oil

Combine the following essential oils together in an amber or dark blue glass bottle with a tight-fitting lid.  Never store essential oils in plastic bottles as the oils will slowly dissolve the plastic.  Store in a cool, dark place.

• Clove bud oil 200 drops
• Lemon oil 175 drops
• Cinnamon bark oil 100 drops
• Eucalyptus oil 75 drops
• Rosemary oil 50 drops

4 Thieves Vinegar

You can also make a version of the 4 Thieves Oil as a vinegar to use internally.  You can use it in salad dressings or add 10ml to a shot glass of water and take as tonic before meals.  The properties of the apple cider vinegar and herbs will combine to stimulate both your digestion and immune system.

• Raw apple cider vinegar (cloudy, unfiltered vinegar with the “mother”)
• Cinnamon quills
• Rosemary, fresh or dried
• Thyme, fresh or dried
• Oregano, fresh or dried
• Sage leaves, fresh or dried
• Peppermint, fresh or dried (you can even add a few peppermint tea bags)
• Cloves

Use roughly equal parts of all herbs.  Add the herbs to a glass jar and cover with apple cider vinegar.  Keep in a dark corner of the kitchen and shake as often as you remember.  Let it sit for 4-6 weeks then strain the vinegar and store in a glass bottle.

To strain the herbs from the vinegar, place a colander lined with muslin fabric (available cheaply from places like Spotlight) or an old linen tea towel inside a large bowl or saucepan.  Pour the herbs and vinegar into the colander, then bring the edges of the muslin or tea towel together and squeeze tightly to remove as much vinegar as possible from the herbs.

The herbs can be placed in the compost but not a worm farm due to the vinegar.